NRL opener smashes ratings record

Last night’s NRL season opener between Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos smashed pay TV ratings records across the board, Fox Sports said today.

Last night’s average audience of 338,000 was the highest ever rating Thursday night game on Fox Sports and was a 27% increase on last year’s season opening audience of 267,000 for the St George Dragons v Broncos game.

The Storm v Broncos clash was also the highest ever rating regular season simulcast match.

TV bosses are hoping for similar success with tonight's clash between the Newcastle Knights and Cronulla Sharks which will be the first NRL game to be broadcast in 4K Ultra HD.